Cardiff 3 Phoenix 1

PHOENIX lost the first game of their double header with Cardiff to allow the Devils to draw level on 53 points in the league. Cardiff went ahead when Jarvis forced the puck home with an assist going to Phil Hill, while Phoenix netminder Stephen Murphy produced a superb save to deny Jason Silverthorn when he skated clear. "Phoenix are great offensively and they play a run and gun style of game which is good going forward, but can make them vulnerable going back," said Cardiff player-coach Gerard Adams.

PHOENIX lost the first game of their double header with Cardiff to allow the Devils to draw level on 53 points in the league.

Cardiff went ahead when Jarvis forced the puck home with an assist going to Phil Hill, while Phoenix netminder Stephen Murphy produced a superb save to deny Jason Silverthorn when he skated clear.

That proved the only goal scored in the first two periods.

Murphy was outstanding for Phoenix as Cardiff pressed hard. Jay Latulippe was denied by Murphy when he skated onto a Tyson Teplitsky pass only to see his shot saved.

Moments later, though, Devils scored their second on the powerplay with Alex Dunn the Manchester man in the penalty box for roughing.

Hill and Doug MacIver set up the chance and Jason Silverthorn fired home, while the disputed third was scored unassisted by Mike Prpich.

That was awarded after a long discussion between referee Mike Hicks and a goal judge, much to the disgust of Phoenix player-coach Tony Hand. He landed a 10-minute misconduct penalty for his remarks - and left the match early.

Manchester's consolation goal went to Brett Clouthier with assists to Luke Fulghum and Lucas Burnett.

Manchester are back at the Cardiff Bay Arena for a second clash with the Devils on Thursday night.

"Phoenix are great offensively and they play a run and gun style of game which is good going forward, but can make them vulnerable going back," said Cardiff player-coach Gerard Adams.

"They are great offensively and their top line in particular is highly effective. David Beauregard is one heck of a hockey player and his goals speak for themselves."

When it comes to the play-offs the team finishing fifth will play the fourth-placed club, while sixth plays third. Coventry, Nottingham and Belfast are battling for second, third and fourth places.